By Mike O’Cull
British rockers, Wayward Sons bring it all and then some on the band’s new effort The Truth Ain’t What It Used To Be, out October 11, 2019 on Frontiers Music SRL. The album is a reminder of everything that’s great about playing and listening to real rock music that’s smart, well played, and hits like a kick in the teeth. Led by former Little Angels vocalist and guitarist Toby Jepson, Wayward Sons makes modern rock and roll that proudly wears its 70s and 80s hero worship on its sleeve and is worthy of standing alongside the finest artists of those glorious days.
The current Wayward Sons crew includes Jepson, bassist Nic Wastell (Chrome Molly), drummer Phil Martini (Joe Elliott), guitarist Sam Wood (Treason Kings), and keyboardist Dave Kemp (Little Angels). The band toured relentlessly in support of its first album Ghosts Of Yet To Come and the unending grind turned the group into a muscled-up, cohesive unit. The Sons opened for Saxon, Inglorious, Steel Panther, Living Colour, and UFO, appeared at festivals like Download and Ramblin’ Man Fair, and rocked their own headline shows. Now, instead of succumbing to the dreaded Sophomore Slump, Wayward Sons returns to the scene with The Truth Ain’t What It Used To Be, a career-making effort capable of shaking some hope and life into a world that desperately needs both.
The Truth Ain’t What It Used To Be comes out punching hard from the start with the full-tilt “Any Other Way,” a gritty guitar and drum rave-up with a towering vocal hook in the chorus. It’s a good, strong rock song that perfectly sets the mood for everything that follows it. “As Black As Sin” continues the high-energy rock mood and draws more and more of your attention to Toby Jepson’s vocals. Jepson is a vocalist not to be trifled with and possesses the power, tone, and presence of a modern Freddie Mercury. His voice cuts through the mix in the same way Mercury’s did, which is nothing but natural talent on display. Jepson is bold and expressive and he and this band unquestionably demonstrate the wattage required to conquer a stadium crowd.
The best thing about The Truth Ain’t What It Used To Be is that the songs keep getting better the deeper you go into the record. “Joke’s On You” is a boisterous and melodic kiss-off song that starts to bring the pop side of the Wayward Sons into play. Happily, the band is able to rock hard and write melodies in equal measure and the balance struck between the two vibes is what elevates Wayward Sons above the bulk of its peers. “Feel Good Hit” is fist-pumping modern rock that’ll blow your hair back and gives Jepson a chance to go all-out vocally over fierce, distorted guitars.
“Long Line Of Pretenders” is a superbly-done rock song that’ll give you an idea of what Queen might have sounded like doing an early Billy Joel number. The harmonized lead guitar parts in the intro give it an instant bit of sophistication and the band does a lot with the often-forgotten combination of electric guitars and acoustic piano. “(If Only) God Was Real” is strong social commentary covered in crushing guitars that holds nothing back in its critique of organized religion. It takes a hardline stance that’ll surely ruffle some feathers but that’s just rock and roll, isn’t it? If you don’t want to be challenged, don’t listen.
The title song, “The Truth Ain’t What It Used To Be,” doesn’t appear until near the end of the album and drops more beautifully harmonized guitars and more commentary, this time about living in a post-truth world where you can’t tell if you’re peeling an apple or an onion. Jepson isn’t shy about taking on hot-button topics in his lyrics and it adds a sense of relevance to the entire record. Also, be sure to hang out past the final song for the super-secret hidden track “Totally Screwed” that only hardcore fans are supposed to know about. Wayward Sons makes true rock magic on The Truth Ain’t What It Used To Be and, if you have any sense at all, you’re going to want to get in on it.
Watch Video “Joke’s On You” Below
Wayward Sons Online
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